- Are you ready to make history?
- Rather, to surprise everyone.
- And... what's here?! Y/n is the fastest in the first free practice! Behind her, Verstappen, Leclerc and Hamilton are also behind!
- It was just one page. Then we'll see when it starts to rain.
- Or if she looks in the mirror one day and realizes that this is not a fashion show.
- Or if we realize that she is more serious than anyone thought.
Formula 1. A man's world. But not for long!
It was January 2025. The Mercedes team principal's office was in a tense state. Toto Wolff was walking up and down, as usual, with a coffee mug in his hand.
Toto: – Do you know what I saw at that race? A girl... who overtook like Senna and defended like Prost.
The team's engineers and PR people looked at each other. One word was on their minds: A girl?
Y/n. Italian, 18 years old. She started with go-karting and then got into the F1 academy. Where young girls, if they beat the time of one of the Formula 1 men. They get into Formula 1. The academy is run by Toto Wolf's wife, Suisen Wolf, who was the first female Formula 1 driver. Sponsors were skeptical, managers were reluctant – but Mercedes was taking courage.
The first race weekend of the 2025 season started in Bahrain. The paddock was buzzing, the press cameras were scrutinizing you. Next to her, the other rookie, Kimi Antonelli, smiled:
Kimi:
y/n (in confidence):
Commentator:
The pit lane went dark. The other drivers were tensely staring at the time results.
Verstappen (sarcastically):
Lando Norris (with a half smile):
Leclerc (whispering while looking at Y/n):
They walked along the starting grid. y/n took a deep breath, holding her helmet. Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri whispered to each other.
Oscar: "Seriously, why do we have to do this now? This place is not a social experiment.
Lando: I can't wait for you to start putting on your makeup during the pit stop.
max: "You better go home, girl. This is not your playground."
Y/n turned around, looking Max in the eye.
you: "I hope you have a big mirror in the Red Bull... because today you'll only see me from behind."
Charles (softly, with a half-hearted smile): "Guys… we might be seeing history. Stop being such big… assholes.
The lights went out. Y/n had an amazing start. She gained two places in the first corner. The crowd was going crazy.
Commentator: – Y/n... is she going for the lead?! I can't believe it! This is not just a PR stunt, ladies and gentlemen... this is reality!
She passed Hamilton on lap 42. She also passed Leclerc on lap 51. She ended up second behind Verstappen, only 0.4 seconds behind.
After the race, Max walked up to Niki. At first he just nodded. Then he extended his hand to her🏁